The programme includes 12 projects, which aim to separate rail and highway traffic in the region.

The Piedmont Corridor is part of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor, which runs from Washington to Charlotte, with plans to extend to Atlanta, Georgia.

Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) administrator Joseph Szabo said: "The safest crossing is one that doesn't exist, and NCDOT is now on its way to eliminating 50 crossings between Charlotte and Raleigh while building strategic underpasses and overpasses."

Image: The improvements being carried out on the Piedmont Corridor between Raleigh and Charlotte will allow trains to travel faster and reduce roadway congestion. Photo: courtesy of M. Cottrell.